Thomas à Becket (c. 1118-1170), the legendary medieval archbishop of Canterbury, was born and educated in London. He was sent by the church to Bologna to study law and was named, in 1154, chancellor of England by Henry II. After serving admirably, he was named archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. He dedicated his life to the church and, rejecting the luxuries he had enjoyed as a state official, became a devout and pious priest. By claiming that the church was not answerable to the state his former friend Henry, a nationalist, turned against him. He fled to France in 1164 but returned in 1170 when Henry promised his safety. Later that year he was murdered by some of Henry’s knights in the Cathedral of Canterbury. His bravery and unflinching allegiance to the church has inspired numerous books, at least one film, and a renowned play by T. S. Eliot.
